Xarunta Xuquuqal Insaanka Madaxa Bannaan Ee Somaliland Oo Si Xoogan Ucambaaraynasaa 3 Wariye Oo Maxkamadaha Gobolka Maroodijeex Xukuno Kala Duwan Ku Xukuntay

May 23, 2022 - Written by admin

Warsaxaafadeed 23/05/ 2022

Xarunta Xuquuqal Insaanka madaxa bannaan ee Somaliland waxay si xoogan u cambaaraynasaa xukunka Maxkamaddu saaka ku ridday labada weriye ee Maxamed Cabdi Sheekh Ilig iyo Cabdijibaar Maxamed Xuseen.

23/05/2022, Xarunta Xuquuqal Insaanku waxay si xoogan u cambaaraynasaa xukunka saaka Maxkamadda Gobolka Maroodijeex ku riddey labada wariye ee Maxamed Cabdi Sheekh Ilig iyo Cabdijibaar Maxamed Xuseen oo midkiiba ay ku xukuntay halsano iyo afar bilood oo xadhig ciqaabeed ah.

Xaruntu waxay aad u cambaaraynasaa xukunka weriyaashaas ku dhacay oo ah mid sharciga baal marsan. Eedaha labadan weriye loo haystey ayaa ahaa qaran dumisnimo iyo faafin warar been abuur ah sida ku xusan qodobada 215 iyo 328 ee Xeerka Ciqaabta Guud.

Xeerka Ciqaabta guud oo ah xeerka ay maanta Maxkamaddu ku xukuntay weriyayaasha ayaa ah mid aad u khilaafsan dastuurka dalka, xeerka saxaafada Somaliland iyo xeerarka caalamiga ah ee xuquuqal insaanka kuwaas oo sitoos ah u damaanad qaadaya xuquuqaha warbaahinta madaxa-baani leedahay.

Xaruntu waxay sidoo kale walaac ka muujinaysa cabudhinta dowladda Somaliland ku hayso warbaahinta madaxa-bannaan talaabadaas oo lid ku ah xeerarka dalka.

Dastuurka Somaliland qodobka 32 (3) waxa uu sheegayaa” saxaafadda iyo warbaahinta kale waxay ka mid yihiin xoriyaadka asaasigaa ee ra’yi dhiibashada, waxayna lee yihiin madax-bannaanidooda; way reeban tahay talaabo kasta oo lagu cabudhinayo; howshoodana xeer baa nidaaminaya’’.

Dastuurka Somaliland waxa uu sidoo kale reebayaa in qofka xoriyadiisa si aan sharci ahayn looga qaado. Sida ku cad qodobka. 25 (1) ee dastuurka Somaliland “qofna xoriyadiisa loogama qaadi karo si aan sharcigu banayn”

Ugu danbayn xaruntu waxay xukuumadda Somaliland ugu baaqaysa inay xoriyadooda si dhakhso ah ugu soo celiso labada weriye ee Maxamed Cabdi Sheekh Ilig iyo Cabdijibaar Maxamed Xuseen, is la markaana joojiso cabudhinta warbaahinta madaxa- bannaan, xaqdhowrtana dastuurka dalka, xeerka saxaafada iyo xeerarka caalamiga ah ee xuquuqal insaanka.

Mohammed Abdi Sheik Ilig and Abdijabbar Mohammed Hussein were sentenced on April 23^rd, 2022, at the Hargeisa Regional Court based on articles 215 and 328 which covers “subversive or Anti-National Propaganda and Publication or Circulation of False, Exaggerated, or Tendentious News Capable of Disturbing Public Order” of the Somali Penal code, applied here. However, the Human Rights Center is deeply concerned this sentencing is a grave disorder of the justice system in Somaliland.

When looking at the charge sheet and the actions taken by the journalist, neither the actions nor the charges seem to match to the final judgement. We are requesting that the judge in this trial apply common sense, ethics, and morality in giving the final judgment. Mohammed Abdi Sheik Ilig and Abdijabbar Mohammed Hussein have been sentenced to one year and four months in prison, with conditions that they could not buy out their release.

According to the charge sheet, the actions taken by the journalists do not reflect the crime they are allegedly accused of. They could not be in possession of spreading false news that circulated quickly as they were arrested on the spot, therefore this judgement far exceeds the scope of their actions while at the prison where the reporting took place. We are asking for the law to be applied with justice and common sense in mind here.

This judgement damages the work Somaliland has done to create peaceful institutions where democracy prevails, creating a weak functioning government that punishes dissenting voices or news that shines a light on the power of abuse by the president’s office, including the police force and investigation department. Somaliland government must allow free press to work without interference, and journalists to report on the news without fear of intimidation, arrest, and self-censorship.

All of which has been occurring in Somaliland for quite a while now. Somaliland government and those involved in taking these decisions must respect and adhere to the commands enshrined in the constitution and follow international human rights standards, as agreed upon by Somaliland treaties.

The condition put on the sentencing, according to most international human rights standards, are considered cruel and unusual punishment. Therefore, we are asking the judge in this case, and the President Muse Ahmed Bihi to respect free media and journalism in Somaliland, release them without condition immediately.

As stated by article 32(3), this interference by the court and the president subjugates the journalist and free media in Somaliland, thereby making free media under the rule and whim of our elected officials. All counterproductive to the work that Somaliland has undergone to make sure democracy exists and flourishes in the country.

Human Rights Centre (HRC) is the only local human rights watchdog based in Somaliland. It is registered with the Somaliland government as a non-profit-making, non-governmental organization with its own legal personality.